While there are many ways
to hold a racket, the shakehand grip is the most
versatile and universally used of all grips. Therefore, I
recommend using it for learning table tennis. If you have
not used this grip, it may initially feel awkward. Please
persevere, as this grip will permit you to develop all
the strokes these articles willdiscuss and illustrate.
Other grips may hinder or limit your
development.

Lesson 1:
Learning the Shakehand Grip

To
use this grip, you essentially "Shake hands with the
racket." Fit the edge of the blade snugly in the "V" of
your hand between your thumb and forefinger. Grip the
handle with your middle, ring, and little fingers.
Finally, place the forefinger flat on one side of the
racket head close to the bottom and the thumb sideways on
the other side of the racket head. See Photo 3 and
4.

Hold the racket with just enough tension to keep it in
place. Another person should be able to take the racket
out of your hand and feel just a slight resistance while
you maintain your grip. It is important not to grip too
tightly. Too tight of a grip causes excess tension in the
arm. The excess tension will, in turn, slow down your
strokes and make it harder to adjust the racket angle to
compensate for various spins and angles. This is not to
say, however, that hand tension is constant, never
shanging. Hand tension should increase just before ball
contact on a hard hit shot and it may decrease on soft
touch shots or serves.

Hold the racket so the edge of the racket is
perpendicular to the floorand tilt your wrist slightly
down. The wrist should remain in this downward tilt
position throughout all your strokes. Do not force this
downward tilt, but rather let the racket naturally fall
into this position by relaxing the hand muscles.
While we're talking about the wrist, do not let the wrist
flop back and forth or up and down as you stroke the
ball. Letting the wrist flop is one of the most common
causes of mis-hit shots.

Photo 3: Shakehands Grip,
Forehand Side

Notice how the
side (not the
front) of the thumb lays across
the top of the handle, and only three
fingers wrap around the handle. Also
notice the downward tilt of the
wrist.

Photo 4: Shakehands Grip,
Backhand Side

Notice how the
knuckles lay on top
of the handle, and the forefinger lays
close to the bottom of the racket
face.